Parkinson's Disease and Depression
Description/Etiology
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder related to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter
dopamine in the brain structures that control voluntary movement. Presentation of this chronic debilitating
condition is insidious, usually begins unilaterally with mild symptoms, and eventually manifests bilaterally with
increasingly severe symptoms. PD is characterized by a variable combination of tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and
postural instability. Advancing disease erodes all functional abilities, causing autonomic dysfunction, musculoskeletal
deformities, sensory symptoms, sleep disturbances, dermatological problems, and psychiatric symptoms (for more
information, see Quick Lesson About…Parkinson’s Disease ).